Flashlight having multiple lamps for various illuminating effects



Aug. 22, 1950 v. L. ALLEN 2,520,023

FLASHLIGHT HAVING MULTIPLE LAMPS FOR VARIOUS ILLUMINATING EFFECTS Filed Oct. 22, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

YA Gm/ M] H/S ATTK Aug. 22, 1950 v. L. ALLEN FLASHLIGHT HAVING MULTIPLE LAMPS FOR VARIOUS ILLUMINATING EFFECTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1946 JNVENTOR. VanceL. .4 11612 HIS ATTK Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLASHLIGHT HAVING ,MULTIPLE LAMPS FOR VARIOUS ILLUMINATING EFFECTS 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in flashlights, and more particularly to the type of flashlights having multiple lamps for various illuminating effects.

Heretofore, most flashlights have used a single lamp with a set of one or more batteries for supplying electric current thereto. The batteries soon lose their energizing effect and when that results, it is necessary to replace the batteries with a new set, it being impossible to obtain illumination in the meantime. Some suggestions have been made heretofore for combining a plurality of lamps in a single casing, but this has involved a mere duplication without obtaining any cooperating benefit therefrom ,nor the possibility of variation of light as a result of thus combining the lamps.

One object of this invention is to provide a flashlight with at least two sets of batteries which may be used independently for respective illuminations or may be connected together to provide increased illumination by supplying higher voltage to a single lamp, which will result also in longer burning capacity.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a flashlight for so controlling the supply of electric current to respective lamps, that these may be used independently as desired or the sources of current be connected to one lamp for obtaining greater energizing efiect thereof and better illumination.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination of switches for a flashlight whereby two sets of batteries may be used independently for lighting independent lighting elements, or two sets of batteries may be combined to provide higher voltage for lighting a third lighting element having a different electrical resistance value, and having the switches so-arranged as to prevent baokflow of current through the other circuits when any particular circuit is used.

The invention may be embodied in aflashlight in which multiple sets of batteries may be mounted in a casing and arranged for the independent supply of electric current to respective lamps, whereby to obtain illumination from either of these as desired. The construction preferably is such that both sets of batteries may be connected with one lamp to produce the illuminating efiect created thereby.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the complete flashlight;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through one end portion thereof, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the opposite end portion thereof, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a cross section through one of the switches, on the line |4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the switches and electrical connections detached;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits of the flashlight; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

In the form of flashlight illustrated in the drawings, a casing generally indicated at i, is formed as an elongated tubular shell, which may be formed of fiber as shown or sheet-metal drawn to the desired size and shape and properly insulated. The casing l is openinitially at both opposite ends.

The casing I is divided transversely intermediate its ends by an insulating disc 2 which separates the casing l into respective compartments 3 and 4. The disc 2 is retained in place preferably by circumferential indentations 5, rolled into the tubular shell I, on oppositesides of the disc 2, forming ribs on the inner wall of the shell confining the disc therebetween. v

The compartments 3 and 4 are adapted to receive batteries 6 and '1, respectively, which are shown in sets of two cells in each of the chambers, although one or more cells may be used in each chamber, if desired. Each of these battery cells is of the usual character ordinarily provided in flashlights and having a carbon electrode enclosed within the usual zinc container which in turn is insulated from the casing by a surrounding cardboard thereon. The plurality of cells shown are arranged in series relation with the carbon electrode of one cell electrically connected with the zinc container of the adjacent cell by direct bearing relation therebetween.

As shown in Fig. 3, the outer end of the chamber 3 is provided with a reflector head 8, having a screw-threaded connection 9 with the end of the casing l. The head 8 carries the usual flashlight refiector l0 therein within which is screwthreaded an incandescent bulb II, that is screwthreaded into a ferrule l2, attached to the reflector l0.

Surrounding the ferrule 12 and mounted thereon, is an insulating disc I3 which carries a U- shaped contact member 14, extending across and in-bridging relation with the carbon electrode at the end battery cell 6, between said carbon electrode and the end contact of the lamp II, to form an electrical connection therebetween. The contact member 14 is connected with a surround- 3 ing ring I5, the edge It of which is flared inwardly for a purpose hereinafter described.

At its opposite end, the casing I supports a refiector head H, as shown in Fig. 2, within which head is mounted a reflector I8. The head H has a central ferrule 9, internally screw-threaded, and within which a lamp is detachably mounted in the usual way.

The lamp 20 preferably is constructed with multiple filaments, two of which are shown and designated respectively at 2| and '22. These preferably are of diiferent resistance properties and are adapted to be energized by different currents, such as high and low voltages, as three volts and six volts, respectively. One side of each filament is connected with the end contact 23 which is in bearing relation and electrically engaging a carbon electrode of the end battery cell I. The opposite side of the filament 2| is con- 24 of the lamp 20 to provide an electrical con- I nection thereof with the lamp and with one side of the filament 2|.

The series or sets of batteries 6 and I are pressed outwardly, respectively, by coiled s rings and 3|, which are interposed between the inner ends of the sets of batteries and the insulatlng disc 2, and tending to urge the outer carbon electrode of each battery into electrical enga ement with the corresponding lamp I or 20; The inner ends of the coiled springs 30 and 3| may be secured in place by clips 32 and 33, respectively, extending over the upper edge of the insulating disc 2 and crimned or clamped thereon, as will be evident from Fig. 5.

Extending lengthwise of the casing in sideby-side relation, are strip conductors 34 and 35, which are separated from the casing I by an interposed sheet of insulating material 36. The conductors 34 and 35 extend-over the cli s 32 and 33, respectively, and in contact relation therewith for electrical connection between said conductors and the clips.

Arranged in longitudinal alignment with the conductors 34 and 35, at one end of the flashlight, are conductor strips 31 and 38, respectively. lfn like manner, conductor. strips 39 and are arranged in longitudinal alignment with the conductors134 and '35, respectively, at the opposite end of. the flashlight. The conductor strips 31 and 38 vare provided with contacts 4| and 4|", respectively; on each of the outer ends thereof, in position to engage in contact relation with the reflector head 8 and the contact ring I5, respectively, when the reflector head 8 is inserted and secured in place in the end of the casing I. In a similar manner, the conductor strips 39 and 40 have contacts 42 and 42, thereon in position for contactrelation with reflector head. and the contact ring 27, respectively, when the reflector head I! is adjusted into proper position on the casing-l;

The conductors 34 and 35 are adapted to be connected with the conductor strips 3T4Il at the respective opposite ends thereof through switches generally indicated at 43 and 44. Each of the switches 43 and 44 is constructed with a slide 45 slidably mounted within a guide 46 which retains th slide in place and limits and guides thesliding movement thereof. Each of the contact arms has indentures on the outer ends thereof to register with the respective aligned contacts to maintain the switches in adjusted positions.

The slide 45 for the switch 43, a two-position switch, carries a pair of bridging contact arms 41 and 48, each of which is insulated from the slide and secured thereto by a rivet or screw 43. The contact arm 41 is adapted to engage contacts 49 and 50, when the slide 45 is in one extreme position, while the contact arm 48 is adapted to engage contacts 5| and 52 when the slide 45 is in the opposite extreme position. The contacts 49-52 are carried respectively by the conductors 34, 31, 35 and 38. The contact arms will establish an electrical connection between either pair of the adjacent, aligned conductors when engaging the contacts thereof at opposite ends; however, the contacts are so positioned that only one pair of contacts of aligned conductors are in contact with contact arms 41 or 48 at one time.

The switch 44, a three-position switch, in like manner, has contact arms 53 and 54 carried by th slide 45 of the switch 44, and which arms are secured thereto by rivets or screws 55, while separated by an insulating Washer from contact relation with the slide.

The contact arm 53 is in position to engage contacts 56 and 51 in one extreme position of the slide 45 of the switch 44, which contacts 56 and 57 are carried respectively by the conductors 34 and 39. The contact arm 54 is in position to engage contacts 58 and 59 when the slide 45 of the switch 44 is in the opposite extreme position. The contacts 58 and 59 are carried by conductors 35 and 40 respectively. In this manner, the contact arms bridge the respective conductors and establish electrical connections therebetween, either pair of aligned conductors 3439 or 35-40 can be closed by moving switch 44 to the extreme inward or outward position to complete a circuit;'however,' both circuits cannot be closed at 7 the same time.

A third position intermediate the end positions is an "off position, and a dummy contact 51' is provided to register with an indenture in contact arm 53, so switch 44' will be held in an adjusted position.

It is possible, according to this invention, to energize either the lamp I by the battery 6 or the low voltage filament 2| of the lamp 20 by the battery I, or to combine the energy of both batteries 6 and I for energizing the high voltage filament 22 of the lamp 20. The filament of the lamp II is also low voltage, approximately three volts, the same as the filament 2| of the lamp 20, whereas the filament 22 is of high voltage, approximately six volts.

When the switch 43 is moved to an outward position to engage the slide 41 with the contacts 49 and 50, the circuit is closed through battery 6,- filament of lamp I I, through ferrule l2 and refiector I0, through contact 4| which is adapted to engage reflector I0, and which contact 4| leads through conductor 3! to contact points 49 and 59 and thence through switch element 41, conductor 34 and clip 32, to spring contact member 36 to complete the circuit through the battery 6. This will energize lamp II to produce illumination. At this time the slide 48 is out of bridging relation with contacts 5| and 52.

When it is desired to energize the low voltage filament 2! of the lamp 25, the slide 65 of the switch 44 is moved in an outward direction to cause a bridging relation between the contacts 58 and 59. This will close the circuit from the battery 1 through the end terminal 23 oithe lamp 25, thence through the filament 2|, the conductor ring 24, spring contact 29, contact ring 21-28, contact point 42', conductor ea, contacts 59 and 58 through slide 54, conductor 35, clip 33 and spring 31 to the battery 1'. At this time, the slide 53 is out of bridging relation with the contacts 56 and 5?.

Normally the flashlight will have the switches in such position that none of the filaments will be energized. When the switch 13 is in this position the contact arm -18 will bridge contact points 51-52; therefore, when it is desired to close the circuit through the high voltage filament 22 of lamp 25!, switch 45 is moved inward so that contact arms 53 will bridge contact points 56-5! so that the electrical energy fiowing through batteries 6 through contact member i-i, contact ring Iii-l5, through contact member 4! and through conductor 58, through the contact points 5i-52 and contact arm 58, through conductor 35 to point of contact with clip 33, thence through clip 33, through contact spring 5|, through battery 7 to contact 23, thence through filament 22 to threaded base 25, through threaded ferrule E9 to reflector head 17, and through contact 32, as shown in Fig. 7, to conductor 39, thence through contact points 56-51 and contact arms 53, through conductor 34 to Where contact 34 en.- gages spring clip 32, thence through spring clip 32 and contact spring 35 to the negative side of the battery, so as to complete the circuit through both batteries 6 and I. This will energize filament 22 with the full current of both batteries 6 and 7, operating the lamp at the high voltage produced thereby.

By having the batteries arranged and connected in the manner described, the flashlight has the advantage of a four-cell lamp or six volts, or may be operated as two two-cell or three-volt lamps. Either or both of the three-volt lamps may be used simultaneously or independently as desired, which is especially advantageous if either of the sets of batteries or lamps should become burned out. When the combination of both sets of batteries 6 and i are connected together by switches 43 and M, the contact arms 41 and 55 are out of bridging relation with their respective contacts, thereby preventing a short circuit through either of the low voltage filaments, while the high-voltage circuit is in use, without endangering either of the low-voltage filaments.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention, except as specified in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a flashlight, a casing adapted to have a battery mounted therein, a reflector assembly mounted on each end of the casing, a lamp socket in each reflector assembly, a lamp mounted in each of said sockets in position for electrical connection with the battery, 2. pair of longitudinal electrical conductors positioned within said casing and extending substantially from end to end thereof, said conductors being separated intermediate their ends, insulating means to insulate said conductors from each other, a conductor ring on each end of said casing in contact with one of said conductors, one of said longitudinal conductors being in position to contact both of said re=- fiectors, a pair of switches intermediate the length of said longitudinal electrical conductors, said switches including a pair of contact arms, said contact arms being adapted to form a bridging connection within the length of said longitudinal electrical conductors so as to connect electrically said longitudinal electrical conductors to provide an electric circuit therethrough, an insulation member intermediate the length of said casing, a pair of contact elements spaced apart and mounted on said insulating member and in contact with said longitudinal conductors, said flashlight casing having circumferential grooves formed on either side and in contact relation with said insulating member so as to bind said insulating member in contact relation with said conductors, a pair of spring contact elements mounted on either side of said insulating member and connected to said contact elements and adapted to contact one end of a battery to keep the opposite end of said battery in contact with said lamp.

2. A flashlight comprising a plurality of electr c lamps, each of said lamps having a main filament, one of said lamps having an auxiliary filament requiring approximately double the voltage of said main filament, separate batteries each of suiiicient voltage to operate one of said main filamerits, main electrical circuits connecting each of said main filaments with one of said batteries, an auxiliary electrical circuit connecting said batteries in series with said auxiliary filament, switches in said main circuits for opening and closing the same, and switch means in said auxiliary circuit effective only upon opening movement of said switches for closing said auxiliary circuit and upon closing movement of one of said switches to open said auxiliary circuit.

3. A flashlight comprising an elongated tubular casing, electric lamps mounted at opposite ends of said casing, each of said lamps having a main filament, one of said lamps having an auxiliary filament requiring approximately double the voltage of said main filament, separate batteries each of suflicient voltage to operate one of said main filaments, main electrical circuits connecting each of said main filaments with one of said batteries, an auxiliary electrical circuit connecting said batteries in series with said auxiliary filament, switches in said main circuit for opening and closing the same, each of said switches including means operable by movement in one direction to close a main circuit and in the opposite direction to open a main circuit, and switch means effective upon movement of one of said switches in one direction for opening said auxiliary circuit and upon movement of said switches in their opposite direction for closing said auxiliary circuit.

VANCE L. ALLEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 864,957 Dickens Sept. 3, 1907 1,421,093 Matson June 27, 1922 1,823,105 Jones et a1 Sept. 15, 1931 1,875,956 Thiel Sept. 6, 1932 2,245,793 Kurlander June 17, 1941 2,370,150 Dircksen Feb. 27, 1945 

